Finland is ready for further investigations related to Hungary’s rule of law situation. Several EU countries have demanded a new report from the Commission on the situation in Hungary.
BRUSSELS The situation of Hungary’s rule of law and its impact on the country’s EU funding is the topic of discussion for the EU’s finance ministers meeting in Brussels. The Commission has threatened Hungary with the loss of billions of EU subsidies if the deficiencies related to the rule of law are not corrected.
According to the assessment made by the commission last week, Hungary has not implemented the reforms required by the commission to improve the rule of law situation. According to the Commission, there is still a risk that EU funds granted to Hungary will be misused.
However, several EU countries have demanded that the Commission make a new assessment of Hungary’s situation. The Treasury minister Annika Saarikon (central) there is a need for further clarifications.
“Finland is ready for the commission to make further inquiries about Hungary’s actions in relation to the requirements for the realization of the rule of law,” commented Saarikko before the Eurogroup meeting.
Saarikko hopes that further investigations would be done as quickly as possible.
A complex tangle
Hungary’s financing has become a complicated tangle for the EU. Hungary has been suspected of blocking other EU decisions that require unanimity as a countermeasure to the freezing of EU subsidies.
In addition to Hungary’s cohesion subsidies and stimulus money, the finance ministers also have decisions on the global minimum tax and an economic support package of 18 billion euros for Ukraine.
It is possible that the decisive decisions will be postponed to the extraordinary meeting on December 12.
– We don’t have ready answers yet, the table is very open at the moment. We can’t say where the conversation will turn regarding both Ukraine’s support and Hungary’s financial support, Saarikko estimates.
Fair competition to be ensured
Saarikko is also waiting for a discussion on the effects of the giant US climate aid package on Europe.
According to the president of the commission, the actions of the United States may require the opening of EU rules related to state aid.
– If the EU ends up considering similar solutions, which the United States has contributed to, it is important to remember fair competition here as well.
According to Saariko, many Finnish and Nordic companies have already taken steps towards a green transition without separate financial incentives.
– I understand why this is being considered by the commission. It is related to the larger situation between the United States and Europe. My concern concerns Finnish pioneering companies, whose position should not be hampered.